the blog

I hated that question as a kid. I don’t really know why, but some of it had to do with not wanting a particular job or vocation. All I ever said was, anything but a cook or baker. That’s the family business. Get up early or stay up late, work your body to exhaustion, and earn pennies. The cooking profession in the ‘90s didn’t even have any of the allure of some of the hip, local, healthy trends we see today.

I grew up learning how to chop onions, slice tomatoes, peel potatoes, bake cakes, fry donuts, poach eggs, flip burgers, and barbeque steak. None of this prepared me for the economy of the 21st Century. Until now.

Hobbies that save money are worth their weight in gold. Cooking is not only one of the best hobbies for its ability to obliterate a restaurant bill but can do an amazing job of engaging and entertaining guests, providing them with nourishment, and connecting with them on a basic level.

This week my son donned the apron and helped me prepare waffles for breakfast. Less than a dollar invested and we’re beating the lineup at Denny’s and their inevitable +$30 tab after juices, coffee, tips and taxes. He poured the water, mixed, and helped serve. He isn’t on his way to being a chef anytime soon, but he isn’t about to be dependent on a diet of Mcmuffins, subs, and pizza either.

My kids will see an entirely different work environment at Frontier than I did. I hope they’ll connect with it and maybe even build off of it. I know I’m grateful (now) for the skills I’ve inherited.